Filing cabinet



NOV. 10, 1936. Vl VQORHEES 2,060,146

FILING CABINET Filed May 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l j: ZE 3 fnl/@Www Vanderveen/@H2993 Nov.` 10, 1936.y v. vooRHEEs FILING CABINET Filed May 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 if@ 50 f4 v. vooRH'l-:Es

FILING CABINET Nov:I l0, I936.

Filed May 28, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Vanden/eer Voof'zee [3R/Mmes WM ATTORNEY `Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT -OFFICE 19 Claims.

My invention relates to v'filing cabinets of the type in which folders, cards, metal or paper pockets, etc., with or without guide separation, are contained vertically disposed in a rack or drawer horizontally movable in the cabinet.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device for maintaining said cards, folders, etc. in a vertical rearwardly inclined position which will permit quick and convenient access to same when the drawer is drawn to the open position for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for incllning the cards, folders etc. rearwardly at an angle which will cause the legends of the forward faces of said cards, folders, etc., to be conveniently readable from a position in front of the drawer when open.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and practical in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this invention, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the -same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a file cabinet drawer embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of same taken on line VI-VI,

Figure 3 is a transverse section of Figure 2 taken on line VII-VIL Figure 4 is a partially broken detail view of the handle. shown in Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view of a drawer embodying a second form of the invention,

Figure 6 is a front elevation of same,

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of a drawer embodying a third form of the invention,

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section of the same taken on line VIII-VIII,

Figure 9 is a plan view of a le drawer embodying a fourth form of the invention,

Figure 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of same,

Figure 11 is a front elevation of same,

Figure 12 is a vertical transverse section of a file drawer which is a modification of the fourth form of the invention,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the drawer shown in Figure 5 with associated file cabinet casing shown in section,

(Cl. 12S-26) Figure 14 is a vertical transverse section of Figure 9 taken on line IX-IX, and

Figure 15 is a detail view of the structure of Figure 12.

Directing attention to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, 5 it will be seen that numerals I3, I4, I5 and I6 designate the sides, back, front and elevated bottom members, respectively, of a file cabinet drawer framework which may be constructed of metal, wood, fibre, synthetic resin or other suitable material. The rear face of front member I5 is formed of a second member I5' rigidly attached thereto and extending upwardly from the elevated bottom member I6 at a slight rearward angle with front member I5. Handle I8 is connected to rods I9 by screw threads, nuts or other suitable means. Rods I9 pass freely through openings at in front member I5 of the drawer and are positioned below the elevated bottom I 6 as shown in Figure 2. The openings at 20 in front member I5 act as guides for the forward ends of rods I9. The rear ends of rods I9 are guided by tubular guides 2l rigidly fastened to rear member I4 which permit them to move in a horizontal longitudinal direction in response to any similar movement of handle I8. Compressible coil springs 22 surround shanks 23 of rods I9, and are confined between front member I5 and collars 24 on rods I9 as shown in Figure 4. Follower plate 25 is disposed in a 4rearwardly inclined position above the rods I9 and elevated bottom member I6, having spring grips 26 rigidly attached thereto at 21 and depending rearwardly therefrom, said follower plate and spring grips 26 being provided with openings at 28 through which the rods I9 pass so that the position of the follower plate 25, with respect to the rods I9, may be changed by releasing the spring grips 26, thereby permitting the follower to be adjusted to accommodate the contents of the file. Any conventional means of releasably attaching follower 25 to rods I9 may be used as this forms no part of my invention per se. It is, however, desirable to employ some locking device which can be conveniently released as, for example, a lever-operated clutch in which the lever is operable at a point near the top and behind the follower plate by pressure applied by the operators fingers. Longitudinal openings II are provided in the elevated bottom member I8 directly above the rods I9 to permit the follower 50 plate 25 to be moved longitudinally along the rods I9. The front member I5 of the drawer framework may extend outwardly from the side members I3 so as to form projections or flanges 29 at the sides of the drawer which will strike the 55 face of the file cabinet casing, not shown, and halt the movement of the drawer at its closed position.

In the operation of this first form of my improved le drawer, the space in front of' the follower plate 25 may be substantially filled with cards, folders, etc., resting on the elevated bottom I6, with sufficient free space longitudinally to permit the ready introduction and removal of cards etc., not shown. When the file drawer is closed, the sudden stopping of the drawer by the contact of flanges 29 with the file casing, not shown, or by equivalent means, causes the cards to be carried rearwardly, to be compressed and jammed tightly at the bottom against the follower 25, and then to be immediately expanded at the top and disposed in a forwardly inclined position, face downward, making it difficult to read the legends written on the faces thereof. Upon opening the file drawer for further use, the handle I8 is suddenly drawn forward by the operator, thereby causing rods I9 to move in a forward direction.. Due to the inertia of the drawer and its contents, as a result of the weight thereof, the sudden forward motion of rods I9, relative to the drawer framework members I3, I4, I5 and I6, compresses springs 22 between the front member I5 and collars 24 during the time that tension is being applied to handle I8. During the forward motion of rods I9, follower plate 25, which is releasably attached to rods I9, is also carried forward toward the rear face I5 of front member I5, thereby moving the cards etc. in the drawer forward against face I5. After the file drawer has been drawn out of its compartment in the file cabinet, and the tension on handle I8 is released, rods I 9, carrying follower plate 25, are urged rearwardly by the expansion of springs 22 until handle I8 contacts the front member I5, thereby allowing the cards, etc. to be disposed in a rearwardly inclined position, face upward whereby their legends become conveniently readable by the operator in front of the file drawer. An important feature of the operation of my invention is that the distance traveled by follower plate 25 toward face I5', measured along the elevated bottom member I6, bears a definite relation to the height of the cards etc. to be filed in the drawer, preferably between one-fourth and three-fourths of the height of the cards etc. Too little displacement of the follower plate 25 will not allow the cards etc. to recline to the rear suiiiciently to render their legends visible from a position in front of the drawer, and too much displacement will permit the cards etc. to fall flat on the elevated bottom member I6 when the follower plate 25 reaches its extreme rearward position. The above displacement of the follower plate 25 is determined by the length of shanks 23 and the diameter of the wire from which spring 22 is made, and may be increased or decreased by varying the position of collars 24 on rods I9.

In Figures 5, 6 and 13 I have shown a modified form of my invention. In this second form of the invention, numerals 30, 3|, 32 and 33 represent the sides, back, front and bottom members, respectively, of the body of a file drawer. An elevated bottom 34 is rigidly attached to side members 30, back member 3I and front member 32. A latch for holding the drawer in the cabinet, positioned on the rear side of front member 32, comprises a bolt 35, guided by opening 36 in the side member 30, and by draw knob 3T, rigidly attached to bolt 35, operating through opening 38 in the front member 32, and a spring 39 compressed between lug 40, formed on the inner end of bolt 35, and bracket 4I rigidly attached to front member 32. Bolt 35 catches behind flange 40' formed on the vertical sides of the drawer opening in the file cabinet casing 4I'. Any other suitable type of latch may be used as this forms no part of my invention per se. Partition 42 is rigidly attached to side members 30, front member 32 and elevated bottom member 34 and extends upWard'frOm elevated bottom member 34 at a slight rearward angle with front member 32 and acts as a forward support for the cards etc., and also as a guard for the latch mechanism located between it and the front member 32. Rods 44 are positioned horizontally and longitudinally below elevated bottom member 34 and have their rear ends supported by guides 45 which are an integral part of back member 3l, and their forward ends supported by guides 46 rigidly mounted on front member 32. Rods 44 are extended past the rear face of back member 3I and contact with the back of the file cabinet casing 4I' at 46. Shanks 41 on rods 44 are surrounded by compressible coil springs 48 which are confined between shoulders 49 on guides 45 and collars 50 on rods 44. Adjustable collars 5I are releasably attached to rods 44 by thumb screws 52, and are positioned in front of guides 45 to determine the extent of the rearward travel of rods 44. Foilower plate 53 is disposed in a rearwardly inclined position above elevated bottom member 34 and releasably attached to rods 44. Longitudinal openings 54 are provided in the elevated bottom member 34 directly above the rods 44 to permit the follower plate 53 to move longitudinally along the rods 44. Flanges 55. formed by laterally extending the side edges of front member 32, Contact the forward ends of the guides 55', and halt the movement of the drawer at its closed position.

In the operation of this second form of the invention, the space in front of the follower plate 53 is substantially lled with cards, folders, etc., resting on the elevated bottom member 34, with sufficient free space longitudinally to permit the ready introduction of cards etc., not shown. Before the file drawer is completely closed, the rear ends of rods 44 contact the rear of the file cabinet casing 4I at 48', thereby urging rods 44 forward, relative to the drawer framework members 30, 3|, 32 and 33, during the remainder of the travel of the drawer to its closed position, compressing springs 48 between the shoulders 49 and collars 50. The drawer will be held in the closed position by latch bolt 35 catching behind flange 40 formed on the vertical sides of the drawer opening in the file cabinet casing 4I'. In the closed position of the drawer, follower plate 53 has moved forward along with rods 44 to which it is releasably attached, forcing ahead of it the cards etc. against the partition 42. Upon releasing latch bolt 35 by means of draw knob 31, the expansion of springs 48 will urge the rods 44 rearwardly, relative to the drawer frame, but since rods 44 are already in direct contact with the rear of the le cabinet casing, the drawer frame is actually expelled. During the expansion of springs 48, the distance between partition 42 and follower plate 53 will increase, thereby allowing the cards etc. suficient freedom to bc disposed in a rearwardly inclined position, face upward, whereby their legends become conveniently readable by the operator in front of the file drawer. 'I'he file drawer may now be drawn completely outside of its compartment by means of handle 43 without further affecting the relative position of the cards etc. Here again, the horizontal distance traveled by follower plate 53 toward the partition 42, measured along the elevated bottom member 34, bears a definite relation to the height of the cards etc. to be filed in the drawer, preferably 1A to in order to secure the proper inclination of the cards etc. for ready access and convenient reading of the legends. The amount of this displacement is determined by the position of the adjustable collars on rods 44, which limit the rearward travel of rods 44, relative to the partition 42, and also by the length of the extensible portions of rods 44 externally to the drawer, which determines the amount of forward movement of rods 44, relative to the partition 42, when the drawer is completely closed.

The third form of my invention, shown by Figures 7 and 8, is identical with the second form except for the construction of the follower mechanism and the elevated bottom member. In this form of the invention, the elevated bottom member 56 occupies the space between the rods 44 and is rigidly attached to the front member 32 and back member 3|. 'I'he follower plate 51 is pivotally connected to supporting members 58 by pivot element 59. The lower outer portions 6D of follower plate 51 extend below the elevated bottom member 56 and rest on the bottom element 33 of the drawer. Supporting members 58 are provided with upper contacts 62 and lower contacts 63 which restrict the movement of follower plate 51 about pivot 59. Tubular sleeves 6| of supporting members 56 grip rods 44, whereby the supporting members 58 are moved forwardly and rearwardly by the forward and rearward movement, respectively, of rods 44.

The operation of this third form of the invention differs from that of the second form of the invention in the operation of the follower mechanism. As the supporting members 58 are carried forward by rods 44, the outer lower portions 60 of the follower plate 51 will rest against bottom member 33 of the drawer and lower edge of the rear card, causing follower plate 51 to rotate about pivot 59 until contact 63 engages the rear surface of the follower plate 51 at which time the follower plate 51 will be tilted forwardly and will be'at an acute angle relative to the plane of the slightly rearwardly inclined partition 42. In this position the cards etc. will be urged forward against partition 42 when the drawer is closed. As the supporting member 58 are carried rearwardly by rods 44 when the drawer is opened, follower plate 51 will rotate in the opposite direction about pivot 59 until contact 62 engages the rear face of the follower plate 51. In this position the follower plate 51 will be inclined at a convenient angle with respect to partition 42 so that the cards etc. will be disposed in a rearwardly inclined position, face upward, between the follower plate 51 and partition 42 so that their legends can be easily read from a position in front of the file drawer. It will be seen from the operation of this form of the invention that there is less displacement of the lower edges of the cards, etc., the inclining of the cards being aided by the angular rotation of the follower plate 51 about its lower portion 60 as a center.

Figures 9, 10, 11 and 14 show a fourth form of my invention in which numerals 64, 65, 66 and 61 indicate the sides, back, front and bottom members respectively of the body of. a ille cabinet drawer. Partition 68 is rigidly attached to side members 64, front member 66 and bottom member 61, and extendsupward from bottom member 61 at a slight rearward angle with front member 66, and acts as a forward support for the cards, folders etc., and also as a guard for the spring mechanism located between it and front member 66. Handle 69 passes freely through guides which form an integral part of. front member 66. Handle 69 is rigidly attached to bar 1| positioned horizontally and transversely between front member 66 and partition 68. The lateral extremities of bar 1| are rigidly attached to straps 12 positioned horizontally and longitudinally adjacent to side members 64 at a distance downward from the top edges of side members 64 of approximately one-fourth of the height of side members 64. The forward ends of straps 12 pass through guides 13 which form an integral part of partition 68, and the rear ends of rods 12 are supported by guides 14 rigidly at- -tached to side members 64. Expanding springs are compressed between the extremities of bar 1| and front member 66, supported at their ends by cups 16 rigidly attached to bar 1| and front member 66. Follower plate 11 is disposed in a rearwardly inclined position above bottom member 61 and provided with guides 18 through which straps 12 pass. The upper portion of follower plate |1 is b-ent toform a tubular section 19 which is attached to the lower portion of follower plate 11 by means of the thumb screw 80. The upper and lower portions of. follower plate 11 are brought together or separated by the operation of thumb screw 80, whereby guides 18 are contracted or expanded so as to releasably grip straps 12. This locking device forms no part of my invention per se,

Figures 12 and 15 show a modification of the fourth form of the invention shown by Figures 9, 10, 1l and 14. The side members 8| off the drawer body framework are formed with horizontal longitudinal recesses 82 which will house the slidable channel shaped members 83 which take the place of straps 12 and carry the follower plate 84. The upper portion of follower plate 84 is bent to form a tubular section 81 provided with a hole in its upper edge through which thumb screw 86 passes. Spreader bars 85 pass through the tubular section 81. Fingers 88 on the ends of spreader, bars 85 contact the inside surface of the slidable channels 83. Thumb screw 86 passes through a threaded hole in the upper spreader bar at 85' and contacts the lower spreader bar at 86. The spreader bars are separated by the operation of thumb screw 86 in one direction, thereby expanding `fingers 88 causing them to grip the inside surface of channels 83 and releasably attaching follower plate 84 to channels 83. The operation of. thumb screw 86 in the o-pposite direction allows the spreader bars to come together, thereby releasing the gripping action of fingers 88 on the inside surface of channels 83 and permitting follower plate 84 to be moved longitudinally along channels 83.

As the operation of th-e fourth form of the invention and modification thereof, shown in Figures 9, l0, 11, 14, 12 and l5, is substantially4 identical with that stated in connectiomwith the It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention so long as such changes fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:-

1. In a cabinet for filing cards, folders, etc. in a. vertical position containing a horizontal compartment and drawer slidingly fitting therein, the combination with a drawer bo-dy of one or more elongated members longitudinally disposed therein and movable with respect thereto, a follower member releasably attached to said longitudinal members, means for continually urging the longitudinal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means whereby the longitudinal members may be moved forwardly relative to the drawer body and means for limiting the movement of said members to a distance between 1A and 1% the height of said cards, folders, etc. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a vertical type filing cabinet for cards, folders, etc. containing a horizontally movable drawer, the combination with a drawer body of rigid horizontal members positioned longitudinally near the side members of said drawer body, and movably attached to said drawer body, a transverse follower mechanism releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members, and capable of being moved longitudinally along said horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, spring action means for continually urging the horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means whereby the movable horizontal members may be positionally urged forwardly relative to the drawer body against the resisting spring action and means for limiting the movement of said horizontal members to a distance of 1A; to 3A of the height of said cards, folders, etc. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a cabinet for ling cards, folders, etc. in a vertical position containing a horizontally movable drawer, the combination with a drawer body of a horizontally movable member attached to the drawer body and a transverse follower element releasably attached to said horizontally movable member and movable along the longitudinal axis thereof, a spring for continually urging the movable member rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means whereby the movable member may be positionally urged forwardly relative to the drawer body against the resisting spring action and means for limiting said movement to a distance between 1A; and 1% the height of said cards, folders, etc. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a filing cabinet containing horizontally movable drawers, the combination with a drawer body of one or more longitudinal horizontal members movably attached to the drawer body, a transverse follower member releasably attached to the longitudinal horizontal members, said follower member being capable of movement longitudinally along said longitudinal horizontal members, means for continually urging the longitudinal horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means for employing a force externally applied to the drawer body for removing the drawer from its compartment and means for employing said force simultaneously to urge the longitudinal horizontal members forwardly relative to the drawer body, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A le drawer comprising an elongated, rectangular body, rigid horizontal members positioned longitudinally near the side members of said drawer body, and movably attached to said drawer body, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the longitudinal members and capable of being moved longitudinally along said horizontal members, a spring continually urging the movable rigid horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means whereby the movable longitudinal members may be urged forwardly relative to the drawer body when the drawer is being opened, said means attached to the movable horizontal members and extending freely through the drawer front member and forming the drawer handle externally thereto, substantially for the purpose described.

6. A file cabinet drawer comprising a body, a drawer handle member extending through the front member of the drawer body and movably attached thereto, horizontal members positioned longitudinally near the side members of the drawer body and movably attached to the drawer body, the forward ends of said horizontal members attached to said handle member, means for continually urging the horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means for controlling the amount of longitudinal displacement of the horizontal members and a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members, and capable of being moved longitudinally along the same, substantially for the purpose described.

7. A le drawer comprising a body, a horizontal framework movably attached to the drawer body and comprising one or more longitudinal members connected to a transverse member which is arranged to form the drawer handle externally to the drawer body, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the longitudinal members of the horizontal framework and movable lengthwise of each longitudinal member of the movable framework, a spring for continually urging the movable framework rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means for controlling the magnitude of the longitudinal displacement of the horizontal framework and said follower attached thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a filing cabinet, a i'lle drawer comprising a body, one or more longitudinally movable, elongated, horizontal members in said body and extending rearwardly therefrom, a follower device releasably attached to said horizontal members and movable lengthwise of the same, a spring for continually urging the horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means on said cabinet coacting with the rear ends of said horizontal members urging them forwardly relative to the drawer body a determinable amount when the drawer is closed and means for releasably holding the drawer body in the closed position against the action of the springs tending to open the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a filing cabinet, a le drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member, one or more rigid horizontal longitudinal members movably positioned below the elevated bottom member of the drawer body near the side members thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom, a follower device positioned body. having projections depending through openings in said elevated bottom and releasably attached at right angles to said horizontal longitudinal members and movable longitudinally along the same, a spring continually urging the horizontal longitudinal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means on said cabinet co-acting with the extended rear portions of the horizontal longitudinal members urging said members forwardly relative to the drawer'body by a determinable amount when the drawer is closed and means for releasably holding the drawer body in the closed position against the spring action tending to open the same, substantially as described.

10. In a filing cabinet, a le drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member, one or more horizontal longitudinal members movably positioned below the elevated bottom thereof, and extending rearwardly therefrom, a follower device positioned above the elevated bottom member of the drawer body, having projections depending through openings therein and releasably attached at right angles to said horizontal longitudinal members and movable longitudinally along the same, means for changing the forward and rearward angular displacement of the follower device a determinable amount coincident with the forward and rearward movement, respectively, of the follower member, a spring continually urging the horizontal longitudinal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means on said cabinet coacting with the rearwardly extended ends of the horizontal longitudinal members urging them forward relative to the drawer body by a determinable amount as the drawer is closed and means for releasably holding the drawer body in the closed position against the action of the springs tending to open the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l1. In a flling cabinet, a file drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member, one or more rigid elongated horizontal longitudinally movable members positioned below the elevated bottom member near the side members thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom, a follower device positioned above the elevated bottom member of the drawer body, having projections depending through openings in said elevated bottom and releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members and movable lengthwise of the same, means for changing the forward and rearward angular displacement of the follower device a determinable amount coincident with the forwardand rearward movement, respectively, of the follower member, a spring continually urging the horizontal longitudinal members rearwardly relatively to the drawer body, means on said cabinet coacting with the rear ends of the horizontal members urging them forward relative to said drawer body by a determinable amount as the drawer is closed and means for releasably holding the drawer body in the closed position against the spring action tending to open the same, substantially as described.

12. A file drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member,

nally along said horizontal members, means for continually urging the longitudinal horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means for employing the force applied externally to the drawer body for displacing the drawer from its compartment, to simultaneously urge the horizontal members forwardly relative to the drawer body a determined distance, substantially for the purpose described.

13. A ille drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member, rigid horizontal members positioned longitudinally below the elevated bottom of the drawer body and near the side m-embers thereof and movably attached thereto, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members and capable of being moved lengthwise thereof, a spring continually urging the movable rigid horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means whereby said horizontal members may be urged forwardly relative to the drawer body when the ldrawer is being opened, said means being attached to the movable horizontal members and extending freely through the drawer front member and forming the drawer handle externally thereto, substantially for the purpose described.

14. A le cabinet drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member, a, drawer handle member extending through the front member of the drawer body and movably attached thereto, horizontal members positioned longitudinally near the side members of the drawer body below the elevated bottom thereof and movably attached to said drawer body, the forward ends of said horizontal members being attached to the handle member outside the drawer body, a spring continually urging the longitudinal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means for controlling the amount of longitudinal displacement of the horizontal member and a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the longitudinal members and capable of being moved longitudinally along the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. A file drawer comprising a body having side members and an elevated bottom member,

a horizontal framework positioned below the elevated bottom of the drawer body and movably attached to said drawer body, said framework comprising one or more elongated members connected to a transverse member which is arranged to form the drawer handle externally to the drawer body, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the elongated members of the horizontal framework and movable lengthwise thereof, a spring continually urging the movable framework rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means for controlling the magnitude of the longitudinal displacement of the horizontal framework and said follower attached thereto, substantially as described.

16. In a ling cabinet containing horizontal movable drawers, the combination with a drawer body of one or more elongated horizontal members, said members being housed in horizontal recesses in the side members of the drawer body and movably retained therein, a follower member releasably attached at right angles to the elongated horizontal members, said follower member being capable of movement longitudinally along said elongated members, means for continually urging the elongated members rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means for employing the force applied externally to the drawer body for removing the drawer from its compartment, to simultaneously urge the horizontal members forward relative to the drawer body, substantially as and for the purpose'set forth.

17. A le drawer comprising a body, rigid horizontal members positioned longitudinally in recesses formed in the side members thereof and movably retained therein, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members and capable of being moved longitudinally thereof, a spring continually urging the movable rigid horizontal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means whereby the movable horizontal members may be urged forwardly relative to the drawer body, said means extending freely through the drawer front member and provided with a handle externally thereto, substantially for the purpose described.

18. A file cabinet drawer comprising a body, a drawer handle member extending through the front member of the drawer body and movably attached thereto, horizontal members positioned longitudinally in recesses formed in the side members of the drawer body and movably retained therein, the forward ends of said horizontal members being attached to the handle member inside the drawer body, a spring continually urging the longitudinal members rearwardly relative to the drawer body, means for controlling the amount of longitudinal displacement of the horizontal members and a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the horizontal members and capable of being moved longitudinally along the same, substantially for the purpose set forth.

19. A file drawer comprising a body, a horizontal framework movably attached to the drawer body and comprising one or more longitudinal members positioned in recesses formed in the side members of the drawer body and connected to a transverse member which is arranged to form the drawer handle externally to the drawer body, a follower device releasably attached at right angles to the longitudinal members of the horizontal framework and movable along the longitudinal members of the movable framework, a spring for continually urging the movable framework rearwardly relative to the drawer body and means for controlling the magnitude of the longtudinal displacement of the horizontal framework and said follower attached thereto, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

VANDERVEER VOORHEES. 

